SAI Legal Lab Attendance/Truancy Scenarios

SAI 2013 Elementary Principal Mentor-Mentee – Scenario

SCENARIO 1 – You are an elementary principal at Schon Elementary School. Tyler Thomas, a third grader in your building, has been living with his mom, Jody Jones, for as long as you can remember. Tyler’s parents have never been married, but there is no question that Bob Thomas is Tyler’s dad. Bob has been active in Tyler’s life for as long as you can recall, despite that fact that Tyler lives with his mom. There must have been a falling out recently, as Jody is now asking for you to deny Bob access to Tyler at school. Bob typically comes once or twice each month to have lunch with Tyler. Meanwhile, Bob has asked your office staff to send copies of everything sent home with Jody to him as well, to include any extra requests for documents or communications between Jody and the school. Bob is additionally requesting a copy of Tyler’s enrollment information, which includes Jody’s cell phone number and email. You do not have any court documents providing clarification in this matter.

Are there any questions you would like answered, which would assist you in handling the matter?

What issues are you able to identify in this scenario?

What steps would you take in approaching this situation? Would you provide the enrollment information or permit the lunch visits? Why or why not?

1 SAI 2013 Elementary Principal Mentor-Mentee – Scenario

SCENARIO 2 – You are an assistant principal at King Elementary School. You handle student discipline for 3rd through 5th grade students in the building. Mrs. Brown, a recess aide, walks into your office at 12:45 with a tight grip of Tyler Stone’s upper arm (Tyler is a 5th grade student). Mrs. Brown proceeds to share that Tyler called Jose, one of the Hispanic students, a “spic” while playing soccer on the playground. Tyler admits that he called Jose a “spic” but shares that he did not know it was a bad word. Tyler states that his dad refers to players as “spics” all of the time when they watch soccer together on ESPN. As Tyler put it, his dad says: “Spics are really good soccer players.” Tyler insists that he called Jose a “spic” because he is really good at soccer.

Are there any questions you would like answered, which would assist you in handling the matter?

What issues are you able to identify in this scenario?

What steps would you take in approaching this situation?